Canada Faces Unprecedented Weather Challenges Throughout 2024
2024 has been a record-breaking year for weather events in Canada, causing significant damage and disruption across the nation.
Calgary, Jasper, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Canada
Calgary: Wow, 2024 has been a wild ride for Canada when it comes to weather! This year has seen some of the most intense weather events ever recorded, and it’s been costly too.
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, summer alone racked up over $7 billion in weather-related damages. And that’s just the beginning!
The biggest hit came from a massive hailstorm in Calgary on August 5, which caused nearly $2.8 billion in insured losses. Can you believe that?
And it wasn’t just hail. Alberta also faced a devastating wildfire in Jasper National Park that destroyed a lot of property, costing around $880 million in damages. It’s the most expensive insurance event in the park’s history!
Then there was the atmospheric river that hit British Columbia in October, bringing over 800 mm of rain to some areas. It caused serious flooding and even led to some tragic losses.
In Nova Scotia, a snowstorm in February dumped over 100 cm of snow in some places, leading to power outages and road closures. It was a real mess!
Toronto and southern Ontario weren’t spared either, with multiple flooding events in July and August. Pearson International Airport saw its wettest days ever, with one day alone getting nearly 130 mm of rain!
Montreal also had its share of trouble, with the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby causing record rainfall. It was the wettest day ever recorded at the airport there.
And let’s not forget about the tornadoes! Ontario had a rare late-season tornado in November, and the first tornado of the year hit in March, tying the record for the earliest one ever.
So yeah, 2024 has been a year to remember for all the wrong reasons when it comes to weather in Canada. Let’s hope for calmer skies ahead!